30 for 30 (TV Series) Bullies of Baltimore (2023) User Reviews

Love you Goose

[qzyfrcc · 10/10 · 10 February 2023]

"The Bullies of Baltimore" is a fantastic sports documentary about the rise of the Baltimore Ravens to one of the NFL's most dominant defenses. It uses archival footage, expert analysis, and key interviews to paint a comprehensive picture of the team's journey. The use of clips from the 2001 series "Hard Knocks" only adds to the viewing experience. A must-see for fans of the Baltimore Ravens and great sports documentaries.

The documentary delves into the unique camaraderie that existed among the players, making them stand out from other teams. The love and respect the players had for each other is evident in their interactions on and off the field. This deep bond, combined with their hard-hitting style of play, made the Baltimore Ravens defense like no other. The documentary does a great job of capturing these key elements, showing why this team will forever be remembered as one of the greatest defenses in NFL history. It's humor, it's love, it's pain, it's Baltimore Ravens football.

A Poignant (Yet Also Light-Hearted) Look Back At A Different NFL Era

[zkonedog · 9/10 · 9 July 2023]

I started watching NFL football in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Back then, it was a different game. Not better or worse than the current product--just different. It was a time where sheer toughness could (and often would) win out over talent. The 2000 Baltimore Ravens defense was the shining star of that philosophy, making them worthy of 30 For 30 examination.

Ostensibly, "Bullies of Baltimore" tags along on the 20th reunion celebration of that Super Bowl-winning team. Figures such as Brian Billick, Marvin Lewis, Ray Lewis, Trent Dilfer, Tony Siragusa, Shannon Sharpe, Rod Woodson, and Jamal Lewis are on hand to give their recollections of that extraordinary campaign. From there, directors Ken Rodgers & Jason Weber intersperse that event with sit-down interviews and archival footage to round out the story.

On the field, Rodgers & Weber focus on how gritty and hard-hitting the defense was--truly a once-in-a-lifetime coming together of talent and philosophy. But it also had to be--because the offense went an entire month without scoring a touchdown at one point! It was only when Billick switched to a ground-heavy attack with Jamal Lewis and replaced Tony Banks with Trent Dilfer that the whole team really became dangerous and made their postseason run.

Behind the scenes, it was both nostalgic and interesting to see such figures as Siragusa & Sharpe in their natural element, while also witnessing the simmering intensity of Ray Lewis and the contemplative acceptance of Dilfer. At times, Billick is the star of this whole production, as his unique personality--then and now--is entertaining to behold.

Overall, I really enjoyed this look back at the '00 Ravens. From a modern perspective, it is almost impossible to imagine a squad hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in that manner, but that only makes it more impressive to see it play out!